Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, to cancel tax increases, President Donald Trump signed the Working Families Tax Cuts law into effect on July 4, coordinating with Speaker Mike Johnson.

The law limits government, expands freedom, and provides progrowth policies, creating jobs. As the April tax deadline approaches, the law allows Americans to keep more money, led by Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent of Charleston, South Carolina.

`` . . . people are going to get massive refund checks,'' said White House National Economic Director Kevin Hassett.

Chief of the IRS, Frank Bisignano, said: `` . . . 94 percent-plus of middle-class Americans. . . . '' benefit.

Working Families Tax Cuts boost refunds, providing permanency to lower tax rates from the 2017 tax cuts, no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is reinstituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting Trump and mocking Trump, as Putin supports Khomeini murdering innocent protestors calling for freedom for Iran, courageously encouraged by President Donald Trump.

Mr. Speaker, among the 2025 legislative accomplishments by Republicans and President Donald Trump, with the leadership of Mike Johnson, the Working Families Tax Cuts has provided the cutting of taxes, limiting government, expanding freedom, and providing progrowth policies creating jobs.

Under President Trump, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 worked, but it had an expiration date. Americans would have faced historic tax increases.

This Republican law stops tax increases, continues Trump tax cuts, enabling families to make plans for jobs.

Success by President Trump with all-of-the-above energy are the lowest gas prices since 2021. Affordability is achieved, with money in your pocket and reduced transportation costs for businesses.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is reinstituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting and mocking Trump with Putin defending the illegitimate Venezuelan dictator Maduro, who was courageously arrested by Trump, jailing the narcoterrorist for killing Americans.

Mr. Speaker, visionary radio talk show host Michael Reagan was appropriately recognized in The Washington Times on January 8, 2026, with a deserved tribute by former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker:

A great man was born into eternal life this week. Michael

Reagan passed away Sunday surrounded by his family. Many

people knew him as the eldest son of former President Ronald

Reagan.

He was certainly proud of that distinction, but we at Young

America's Foundation knew him as so much more. He was a

wonderful inspiration. That was particularly true when it

came to the students who heard him at YAF's programs at the

Reagan Ranch.

Michael did so much more than share stories about his

father. He challenged the next generation to share the values

he stood for throughout his public life. He called on them to

be happy warriors in the battle to uphold the founding

principles of our republic.

I first got to know Michael Reagan years ago by listening

to his radio show while driving to and from the state Capitol

in Madison, Wisconsin. I enjoyed his insights on the news of

the day.

Years later, I got to know him personally after becoming

president of YAF. He was a fixture at our student programs in

California. Michael and his family frequently returned to

Rancho del Cielo for public and private events. He and his

daughter, Ashley, also headlined the very first program YAF

hosted in Dixon, Illinois, after our acquisition of the

Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home.

Unfortunately for all of us, the Good Lord decided to call

Michael home sooner. He and I discussed his faith and

devotion to Jesus. That should give us all comfort during

this difficult time, as Michael is with the Lord.

One of my colleagues, Andrew Coffin, knew Michael even

better, as he began working at the Reagan Ranch in October

1998. Today, Mr. Coffin is the director of the ranch and a

YAF vice president. Here is part of his moving tribute to

Michael: `With Ronald Reagan, what you saw was what you got.

There was no facade. You perhaps get the most profound sense

of that authenticity when you visit Rancho del Cielo,

President Reagan's beloved Santa Barbara ranch home. His

faith, humility, patriotism and work ethic--all are on

display in very personal and poignant ways at the ranch.

No perspective on Ronald Reagan, though, has been more

important than that of his son Michael. Since the earliest

days of this project, Michael worked alongside Young

America's Foundation to share his father's legacy and ideas

with new generations.

Among many other YAF activities, Michael was typically the

opening speaker at each of our high school conferences at the

Reagan Ranch. He did a remarkable job setting the stage for

the entire week--especially in laying the groundwork for the

experience young people have when they walk in Ronald

Reagan's footsteps at Rancho del Cielo. Michael helped these

future leaders better understand how Ronald Reagan's life at

the ranch connects to his character and values.

We were at the ranch one day several years ago for a film

project when Michael looked around the simple, 19th-century

adobe his father called home and said, ``Without this place,

the Berlin Wall still stands.'

Michael understood well the way the ranch gave his father a

respite from the pressures of his office and the courage to

face the challenges ahead. Staying grounded at the ranch is

part of what made Ronald Reagan a transformational leader.

That simple turn of phrase is a reminder that Michael, as

well as his father, was a uniquely gifted communicator. He

never spoke with notes, explaining that the few times he

tried to work from a script, the speeches were failures.

Instead, Michael was a storyteller. He would often explain

that his father spoke in parables, and Michael did the same.

Vignettes from Michael's childhood helped illuminate his

father's character, his faith, his love for his country--even

his tax policy. (Michael once asked for a raise to his

allowance, something his father promised to do . . . once a

president was in office who would cut his taxes.)

Students who heard Michael speak gravitated to that same

sense of authenticity that made his father such a successful

leader. Few who had the privilege of listening to his stories

will soon forget Michael's describing Ronald Reagan's long-

held desire to say, ``Nyet'' to a Soviet leader, something he

was finally able to do with General Secretary Mikhail

Gorbachev in Reykjavik.

There were few dry eyes in the room as Michael described

his elderly, Alzheimer's ridden father standing in the

doorway, waiting with arms outstretched, because Michael had

forgotten to give him a hug goodbye.

What a wonderful tribute to a great man.

When I told a friend that Michael had passed, she noted

that when her granddaughter came back from a high school

conference at the Reagan Ranch years ago, she said that

Michael Reagan had been her favorite speaker. That, along

with his family--wife Colleen, son Cameron, daughter Ashley

and grandchildren--will be Michael Reagan's greatest legacy.

Mr. Speaker, in a heartfelt tribute, Dr. Doyle Stevick of the Anne Frank Center of the University of South Carolina paid tribute to Eva Schloss, age 96, of London. King Charles cited ``May her memory be a blessing to us all.'' I include in the Record the following tribute:

The Anne Frank Center mourns the passing of Mrs. Eva

Schloss, who left us on Saturday morning at the age of 96.

Eva had a profound impact around the world, co-founding the

Anne Frank Trust in the United Kingdom and speaking all over.

She also had a profound if lesser-known impact upon South

Carolina and the Anne Frank Center.

Born in Austria on May 11, 1929, just 31 days before Anne

Frank, Eva Geiringer fled with her family to Amsterdam,

living in the same neighborhood as the Frank family. Betrayed

on her 15th birthday and sent to Auschwitz, Eva managed to

survive with her mother. When Auschwitz was liberated, she

searched for her father and brother, who had been murdered,

but recognized Otto Frank. Eight years later, Otto would

marry her mother, Elfriede.

Eva bottled up her anger about what was done to her, her

family, and her community for 40 years before beginning to

speak. But once she did, she spent the next 40 years changing

attitudes, changing lives.

Around 2015, Rabbi Hesh Epstein told me that he had been

trying to bring Eva to Columbia for years. I replied, ``Let

me see what I can do!'' I had been fortunate to get to know

Dr. Dienke Hondius, a historian at the Anne Frank House, and

the woman who first nudged Eva to share her story, She

reached out directly, and we were exceptionally fortunate

that Eva agreed to speak in South Carolina both for the

Jewish community, interviewed by Dr. Lily Filler, and for

school children on the USC campus in 2017.

Eva had spoken to audiences of 200-300 people before, but

when President Harris Pastides interviewed her at the Koger

Center, 56 busloads of school children, mostly middle school

students born in 2005, were in attendance.

The Jerry and Anita Zucker Family Foundation generously

donated 2,000 copies of Eva's autobiography (Eva's Story) for

the students in attendance, and a signed nameplate was

inserted into each copy. With 2,000 school students born in

2005, I imagined the many hundreds of them who would also

live to 90, and in the year 2095 be able to tell their great-

grandchildren, `I personally heard Anne Frank's stepsister

describe her survival at Auschwitz.' That will be 150 years

after Auschwitz was liberated. We've only recently reached

150 years since slavery. The administration was

understandably concerned about whether so many middle

schoolers would behave appropriately. They gave her three

standing ovations.

President Emeritus Pastides wrote that `I have met several

brave souls who survived the darkest days of the Holocaust

and all demonstrated concern and love for persons who have

suffered in other times and places. Eva epitomized that by

delving into the history of slavery in our country and

demonstrating a kinship with descendants of enslaved people.

Her visit to our university was an honor for our community.

May she rest in eternal peace.'

Eva had a generous heart and an infectious curiosity. She

loved visiting the Horseshoe and learning about the

University.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at noon on Monday next for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to be able to recognize and appreciate our dear friend, Doug LaMalfa, who served so well here in Congress. He was such a patriot that we all could appreciate.

He was a fourth-generation rice farmer from northern California; a champion for the people of northern California. I had the opportunity to campaign for him several years ago, and I saw his love and appreciation of the people of northern California. He never gave up.

I am grateful, too, for the leadership of Speaker Mike Johnson, our vice chair, Blake Moore, and the different tributes that have been paid to Doug's service, how important it is. Then putting that in context, too, President Donald Trump issued a heartfelt statement of love and affection for our departed congressional Member.

With that in mind, Doug LaMalfa is always going to be treasured as a champion for limited government, expanded freedom, and peace through strength.

Madam Speaker, Americans are grateful that last week, under the courageous leadership of President Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, General Dan Caine, Pam Bondi, and John Ratcliffe, that our professional military completed an inspiring, legal operation to arrest Venezuela dictator Maduro and his wife.

Dictator Maduro rigged elections and also operated a murderous, drug- dealing regime. Drug cartels, which killed hundreds of thousands of young Americans, have now been damaged.

The murderous axis of evil of war criminal Putin, Iranian and Cuban regimes, and the Chinese Communist Party are unraveling, exposing dictators with rule of gun which invade democracies with rule of law.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is reinstituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting Trump, mocking Trump, with ghost Russian tankers financing the Maduro murderous dictatorship.

Our prayers for a speedy recovery for Dr. Jim Baird and his wife, Danise.

Mr. Speaker, Doug LaMalfa, American patriot, will always be appreciated for his dedicated service for families.

In 2025, House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, worked closely with President Donald Trump with real results for American families first. Promises made. Promises kept.

There was Republican success on border security, unleashing American energy, keeping money in the pockets of families through lower taxes, and more.

House Republicans passed 441 bills, and 70 executive orders were codified. Passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act created jobs and prevented the largest tax increase in history. Republicans passed effective border enforcement with enhanced border infrastructure and funded military readiness to defeat the axis of evil: war criminal Putin, the Chinese Communist Party, and Teheran murderers.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is reinstituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting and mocking Trump, fabricating a nonexistent attack on the Putin mansion.

With President Donald Trump, I look forward to a legislative year dedicated to the memory of Congressman Doug LaMalfa.

Mr. Speaker, on the very day war criminal Putin, in Moscow, boasted he would achieve his goals by ``negotiations or war'' by annexing Ukraine into a failed resurrected Soviet Union, he unleashed a murderous assault on civilians in Odessa, as exposed by Ukrainian Prayer Breakfast Leader Pavel Unguryan. I include in the Record, the following statement:

``Dear friend, dear brother, my country--and especially my

city, Odesa--has endured the most intense attacks in the

entire time since the war began.

Just try to grasp this: for the second day in a row, more

than three hundred different missiles--hypersonic, cruise

missiles, Kinzhal systems, and many other types of weapons in

the arsenal of the Russian Federation--have been launched

against our city.

At this moment, Odesa is completely without electricity.

There is no water, no heating.

People are living in fear and deep uncertainty, not knowing

how they will survive the coming days. Tomorrow is Sunday--

the day we gather to go to church.

We have already experienced worship services without

electricity many times, relying on generators. But to hold a

service without water is something we have never faced

before, and honestly, we do not yet know how to handle this

situation.

A city of more than one million people is now without

water, without electricity, and without heating.

This is how the criminal Putin demonstrates today--to

European leaders, to President Trump, and to the entire

world--his so-called readiness to end the war, his desire for

peace negotiations, and his ``good intentions.''

I humbly and urgently ask you to stand with us in prayer

these days--for our people, for our city, and for our

country.

This is truly an extremely heavy and painful time for all

of us.

With love and deep gratitude, your brother, Pavel.''

Mr. Speaker, on December 16, 2025, America lost a Devoted Patriot with the death of Norman Podhoretz. As Hugh Hewitt, Fox News contributor said, ``What a great American Norman Podhoretz was.'' I include in the Record a grateful review of his accomplishments in his obituary below, published and written by Legacy:

Norman Harold Podhoretz, a towering and often contentious

figure in American political thought whose editorial

leadership at Commentary magazine helped shape the

neoconservative movement, died December 16, 2025, in New York

City at the age of 95.

Born January 16, 1930, Podhoretz grew up in New York City,

in Brooklyn's Brownsville neighborhood. He was the son of

Jewish immigrants.

Podhoretz attended Boys High School in Brooklyn's Bedford--

Stuyvesant neighborhood and earned his undergraduate degree

in English literature from Columbia University in 1950. He

also studied at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America

and received degrees from Clare College, Cambridge

University.

After serving in the U.S. Army in the 1950s, Podhoretz

began his career as a promising young literary critic,

contributing to Commentary by the early '50s. By 1960, at

just 30 years old, he was named editor-in-chief of

Commentary, the influential magazine of the American Jewish

Committee. Under his stewardship until 1995, he transformed

it from a relatively modest journal into a leading platform

for neoconservative thought.

His editorial tenure helped launch and elevate the careers

of figures such as Jeane Kirkpatrick and Daniel Patrick

Moynihan, whose essays in Commentary contributed to their

later roles in public service.

Podhoretz authored numerous books, most notably his 1967

memoir ``Making It,'' which candidly recounted his rise from

a Brooklyn upbringing to the center of American intellectual

life.

His political evolution from liberal literary critic to one

of the nation's most vocal conservative commentators marked

much of his career. Often provocative, he pressed for

assertive U.S. foreign policy and became a leading voice

against Soviet detente and later, in the post-9/11 era,

global radical Islam.

In 2004, Podhoretz received the Presidential Medal of

Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor, from

President George W. Bush in recognition of his influence on

public discourse.

Podhoretz was married to Midge Decter, a fellow

conservative writer and editor, from 1956 until her death in

2022. They had two children together: John Podhoretz, a

conservative columnist and editor, and Ruthie Blum, a

journalist. He also was stepfather to Rachel Decter Abrams,

who predeceased him.

In announcing his death, his son said his father was ``a

man of great wit and a man of deep wisdom and he lived an

astonishing and uniquely American life.

Mr. Speaker, South Carolinians are grateful that Hoffman & Hoffman is expanding within the 2nd District of South Carolina. Established in 1947, Hoffman & Hoffman serves as a leader in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions (HVAC).

The new facility is expected to open in the second quarter of 2026 and will allow Hoffman & Hoffman to consolidate their existing Lexington County offices and grow its operations in the state.

The $8.5 million investment will create 60 new jobs, strengthen the local economy, and enhance career opportunities across the state.

With a presence across the Southeast, Hoffman & Hoffman continues to demonstrate a commitment to innovation and growth. I appreciate the dedication and leadership of Chief Executive Officer, Jim Bingham.

I extend my best wishes to Hoffman & Hoffman for success in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise and congratulate Mrs. Beverly Moody, Occupational Health Nurse at the Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) in Aiken, South Carolina, on being recognized as Nurse of the Year by the South Carolina Association of Occupational Health Nurses (SCAOHN).

This prestigious award is given to a nurse who exemplifies excellence in Occupational Health Nursing and has made outstanding contributions to advancing health and wellbeing through organization, educational, community, or work-site programs and activities.

Mrs. Moody was selected for consistently going above and beyond to support employees at SRMC, while exemplifying compassion and dedication. She also happens to be the proud granddaughter of one of the original DuPont nurses in the 1950's.

Mrs. Moody will continue to advance her profession as an occupational health nurse as she becomes president of SCAOHN in 2026.

Mrs. Moody has many accomplishments to be proud of and has contributed greatly to the state.

I send my warmest congratulations and best wishes. I am appreciative for all she has done for the Savannah River Site and the Palmetto State.

Mr. Speaker, as we approach Christmas and families around the world gather to celebrate, it is important that we reflect on those not free to worship. Christmas is a time of joy, faith, and community. Under totalitarian dictatorships, it is a reminder that repression and fear exist.

Across the globe, dictators impose crushing communist and totalitarian systems that deny basic freedoms, including the freedom of religion. Christmas celebrations are banned or subverted by war criminal Putin and the Chinese Communist Party to worship the state.

America was founded that faith should be freely practiced, not state- subverted. We honor the spirit of Christmas and the values of America. Merry Christmas to all countries.

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is instituting

peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting and mocking Trump.

As the New York Post editorialized, Putin sent Witkoff and Jared Kushner packing with yet more aerial assaults on Ukrainian civilians. American public support for Ukraine is growing.

Mr. Speaker, Americans join President Donald Trump in expressing heartfelt recognition of the three great patriots killed and those wounded by ISIS in Syria.

Iowa National Guard Sergeants William Nathaniel Howard and Edgar Brown Torres-Tovar, as well as a civilian interpreter, were remembered by Mouaz Moustafa of the Syrian Emergency Task Force, who condemned the ISIS, Iranian, and Russia collaboration.

President Trump is being proven a visionary to give Syria a chance with U.S.-Syria full military cooperation and pledged serious retaliation, while praising Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa for his efforts to defeat ISIS.

Ambassador Tom Barrack, the Trump envoy for Syria, correctly cites: ``Defeating ISIS on Syrian soil . . . with local forces is actively shielding America from far greater threats.''

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is reinstituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting and mocking Trump, as Putin attacks utility infrastructures to freeze Ukrainians as Stalin starved Ukrainians.

We extend our sympathies for Brown University college Republican vice president, Ella Cook, of the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama; and Uzbek American, Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, of Virginia.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to join Republican and Democrat colleagues in passing the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, critical legislation that advances the Peace Through Strength priorities of President Donald Trump.

Led by Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, this bill represents the ongoing commitment for national security, modernization, servicemembers, and readiness to defend America at home and around the globe.

I am particularly grateful my language was included which:

Supports the Savannah River Site and nuclear modernization.

Authorizes defense research programs at higher institutions like the University of South Carolina, bridging the gap between academia and national security.

Repeals the Caesar Act, giving Syrians a chance for a better future after years of a murderous conflict and 54 years of sadistic dictatorship of Ba'athist Socialists.

The Senate, with the leadership of Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, will have to pass this legislation so that President Trump can sign it into law on behalf of American families.

In conclusion, God Bless Our Troops as the Global War on Terrorism continues. Trump is reinstituting Peace Through Strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting Trump and mocking Trump, accelerating murderous attacks on civilian Ukrainian energy systems to freeze Ukrainians in the sadistic tradition of Stalin in order to starve Ukrainians.